Anyone have any car buying hints?

We are taking my mom to buy a new car this weekend! Any tips on how to negotiate better prices, etc? She knows exactly what she wants (new Honda Civic), and is trading in her old one, so while I've gotten several quotes from dealers to compare and negotiate the trade-in will really affect her out of pocket costs..


Any tips or tricks for negotiating a good deal? Or anyone have recommendations for good Honda dealers who aren't too pushy?

Re: Anyone have any car buying hints?

Find out all your info on the internet and bring a print out for yourself. Be willing to walk away to negotiate better.

My father always tells my friends to get the price without telling them that you have a trade. Then pop that in last minute...

Re: Anyone have any car buying hints?

Tell them you want to know what "tissue" is on the car. That is what they pay for the car, and then tell them you want to pay $100 over that.
Scott

Re: Anyone have any car buying hints?

Re: Anyone have any car buying hints?

go to Edmunds.com. Get the invoice price of the car and negotiate from there. Never negotiate down from the sticker. Also never tell them you have a trade until you are ready to deal.

Get the price you want first with all the options..etc.. then hit them with the trade.

Invoice price is not necessarily the cost to the dealer. There are incentives that they get for selling certain models and for selling volume depending on the dealership and their sales. Don't feel bad that it seems they aren't making any money.

Go with the print out from Edmunds. Show them what you want to pay. Also, don't negotiate on a monthly payment either.

Re: Anyone have any car buying hints?

Re: Anyone have any car buying hints?

look up the kelly blue book value for the car. That's a fair price. It will also tell you the value based on condition, miles, equipment.

Go completely informed and ready.

Re: Anyone have any car buying hints?

Any tips on getting the best lease price? Lease is up on one of our cars and we want to get another.

Great tips!

Thanks.

Re: Anyone have any car buying hints?

I'll say something basic - bring a guy with you. I highly disagree with the way some salespeople treat women when they go in alone, and sometimes their tone is different with that male presence.


Good luck!

Re: Anyone have any car buying hints?

Posted by nyteacher13

I'll say something basic - bring a guy with you. I highly disagree with the way some salespeople treat women when they go in alone, and sometimes their tone is different with that male presence.


Good luck!

Re: Anyone have any car buying hints?

Posted by nyteacher13

I'll say something basic - bring a guy with you. I highly disagree with the way some salespeople treat women when they go in alone, and sometimes their tone is different with that male presence.


Good luck!

Message edited 8/3/2007 10:18:55 AM.

Re: Anyone have any car buying hints?

Posted by nyteacher13

I'll say something basic - bring a guy with you. I highly disagree with the way some salespeople treat women when they go in alone, and sometimes their tone is different with that male presence.


Good luck!

Re: Anyone have any car buying hints?

Posted by Beth1210

Posted by nyteacher13

I'll say something basic - bring a guy with you. I highly disagree with the way some salespeople treat women when they go in alone, and sometimes their tone is different with that male presence.


Good luck!

I had my Dad come once and my DH come with me once- they were NO help - and both of them are car people

I expected them to say- that price is too high kind of stuff- but instead they said the Dad/DH kind of stuff like get what you like, if you like it - get it

But I held my ground- and when I was in no postion to neg. (they took a car back 2 years early for me b/c I hated it)

I managed to get out of the bank fee

I just acted indifferent (which was funny b/c I had NO CHOICE) but to get another car from them

go at the end of the month- they are more likely to deal them b/c of the way they get paid (I posted this before) but they get a certain amount for every car they sell- and they way it works is like this

if they Sell 10 cars- they get 500 per car

if they between 11-20 cars - then they get $1000 per car- including cars 1-10

so if it's the 30th and you are car 11 - they are going to make a deal with you!

Re: Anyone have any car buying hints?

Actually bringing DH with me annoys the crap out of me.

he just tells me what he wants and sits back. After doing this a few times he's learned.

I think that whole bring the man thing went out the window.

As soon as they see who is in charge it doesn't matter what gender you are. They see the dollar signs and thats that.

Also, don't be intimidated. You hold the wallet..they want it..if you don't like the deal, walk away. There will be another dealership waiting to deal.

Message edited 8/3/2007 10:34:27 AM.

Re: Anyone have any car buying hints?

check the ads in the paper too..

After beinng to 3 different dealerships we go tthe best price at Huntingotn Honda... Since they are one of biggest one on the island they can give you a better price than the smaller ones..

We just got the2007 HOnda Accord V6 L(leather)... We had the same car 2004 bt gave it in....

Re: Anyone have any car buying hints?

Thanks! I bring my DH along just to intimidate but I'm such a negotiator, so I am always trying to have all the dealers top each other out. I just wasn't sure if there were any other tips out there. Thank you! This helps!


Don't be afraid to pit the dealerships against each other also. I had a bidding war with 2 dealerships.

Re: Anyone have any car buying hints?

This is a GREAT thread!
I too will be getting a car within the next month and I am definitley showing DH this thread.

Thank You!

Re: Anyone have any car buying hints?

Re: Anyone have any car buying hints?

Message edited 8/3/2007 12:02:37 PM.

Re: Anyone have any car buying hints?

I found a ton of great info on Edmunds.com - not just prices, but techniques and articles about buying cars.